Kenneth Ray, Jr., Ph.D.

Transcription

1 Kenneth Ray, Jr., Ph.D. August 8, 2015 Dear Lake-Sumter State College Board of Trustees: Please accept this letter and enclosed information as an expression of my interest in the position of President for Lake-Sumter State College. Attached are copies of my resume, references and Vita. Currently, I serve as Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Management at Hillsborough Community College, a comprehensive community college located in Tampa, Florida. During my career, I served in numerous capacities and provided facilitative leadership in student services and academic affairs at small, large, urban, and rural venues. In reviewing my background, I trust that you will agree that my experience is well aligned with the preferred qualifications for President of Lake-Sumter State College. Throughout my career, I have consistently promoted a sense of community and a culture of pride and professionalism in diverse, comprehensive, multi-campus, community colleges. I believe in collaborative working communities. In each position I served, I effectively engaged community partners in strategic initiatives designed to further the college s goals. My resume reflects extensive experiences with regional accreditation and a commitment to State and national service on boards and committees, including serving on numerous reaffirmation committees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. I have experience in state and national leadership. I have served as the State Chair for the Florida College System, Council on Student Affairs, President of the National Council on Student Development and Board Member of the National Alliance of Community and Technical Colleges. As the District Vice-President for Student Services & Enrollment Management for Hillsborough Community College, I developed a culture of evidence and data-informed decision making by spearheading the college s efforts to improve student success. These initiatives improved college-wide processes, promoted increased enrollment and enhanced students college experiences. I formed partnerships with community agencies and the school district to promote college readiness, increase student access and encourage scholastic achievement. I spearheaded enhanced relationships and outreach to area pastors and churches to promote college opportunities for young people and their parents. This award winning program has successfully engaged the college with over 100 churches. At HCC my team and I recognize the importance of providing additional resources to low income students and their parents to assist them with entering college. I led the implementation of the HCC College Bound program which increased the number of under-resourced area high school students choosing HCC as their first choice college. At Palm Beach Community College, as the Dean of Educational Services, the campus chief academic and student services officer, I improved educational support services and enhanced

2 academic course offerings on campus, online and on local high school sites. This resulted in increased student enrollment despite the increased migration of residents from the Glades community. This included revamping the campus course schedule to better accommodate student needs. In response to assessed community needs, I initiated weekend college courses, and facilitated the acquisition of associates of science degree programs in Human Services and Early Childhood Education for the Glades Campus. Working with local Glades area high schools, we dramatically increased high school dual enrollment participation. As Vice President of Student Services at Palm Beach Community College, an interim position, I led the renewal of two Federal TRIO programs; Educational Talent Search and Educational Outreach Center, generating over two million dollars in revenue. I supervised the Federal GEAR UP program partnership between Pahokee Middle/Senior HS and PBCC, approximately a onemillion-dollar federal grant program that raised the potential for the Glades community's underresourced students to learn about, prepare for and to attend college immediately after graduation from high school. I have had a rich career, having served as a community college administrator for the past twenty-one years. During this time, I worked effectively with staff and faculty in collective bargaining environments, serving in a variety of roles and locations. These experiences afforded me many opportunities to facilitate problem-solving initiatives. As Dean of Students and Interim Provost of Palm Beach Community College s South Campus, a campus that shares land and resources with Florida Atlantic University (FAU), I routinely collaborated with FAU colleagues to coordinate our shared services such as the library, recreation, and campus police services. I worked extensively with campus facilities staff, service organizations and community leaders to facilitate student engagement on campus and in community activities. I have worked in rural, low socio-economic areas, as well as, in affluent metropolitan areas. With a foundation built on solid relationships and collegiality, I have effectively led and mentored faculty. Throughout my career, I ve successfully led teams in short and long term strategic goal development and implementation. At HCC, I spearheaded a comprehensive improvement plan that lead to organizational re-alignment of student services and re-engineering of admissions, veteran affairs and financial aid processes. These efforts improved communication among the Student Affairs, Finance and Academic Affairs departments. My budgetary experience is exemplary. In various positions during my career, I have strategically budgeted plans in accordance with institutional and departmental goals. Currently, I oversee a budget in excess of eight million dollars. This includes operational, personnel budgets and Student Activity and Service fees. The college generates three million dollars in Financial Aid fees which I monitor in collaboration with the Director of Financial Aid. I have provided oversight of a grant portfolio of 2.5 million dollars, representative of TRIO programs and the State College Reach-Out Program (CROP) and over 110 million dollars awarded to students in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study and loans. As a member of the President s Cabinet, I directly participate in the college-wide budget development and decision making of a 220- million-dollar budget. Over the last four years, I acquired over $50,000 in external scholarships for students and sponsorships for special events. 2 Kenneth Ray, Jr.

3 I am extremely interested in serving as Lake-Sumter State College's next President because I believe that college, not only improves peoples quality of life, but also strengthens communities. I believe that under the right conditions, with the proper amount of support, all students can reach the goal of achieving a college degree. I believe that Lake-Sumter State College is an ideal place for students to realize their dreams. Lake-Sumter State College is uniquely located in a community that has demonstrated its support and need for the college. I am confident I will be a great asset and contributor to the college and community by building upon the tremendous success already achieved. My diverse leadership experience in academic, student and community affairs will be a benefit to the faculty, students and staff of Lake-Sumter State College. I have significant experience with multi-campus colleges and believe that they can and should operate as one college, yet capitalize upon the unique strengths and opportunities of each campus s local community. I am confident that my references and other colleagues will share with you that I am an accessible and approachable leader possessing an open-mind and a sense of humor. I appreciate your consideration of my application and I look forward to talking with you about my potential to serve as President of Lake-Sumter State College. Sincerely, 3 Kenneth Ray, Jr.

4 Kenneth Ray, Jr., Ph.D.! PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY AND CAREER OBJECTIVE As an executive leader with over 21 years of higher education administrative experience in student, academic and community affairs, I am seeking to serve as the sixth president of Lake- Sumter State College. I successfully led college-wide and campus specific strategic plans to improve student access, retention and completion. I served as vice president at Palm Beach State College and Hillsborough Community Colleges, as well as held multiple dean positions for student services and academic affairs at Palm Beach State College. My experience with multicampus institutions is an asset for an institution looking for a visionary leader to maximize the opportunities for future growth, efficiencies, and student excellence. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE Present Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Management Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida 2007 Interim Provost, South Campus Palm Beach Community College, Boca Raton Florida Acting Vice President of Student Services Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth, Florida Dean of Student Services, South Campus Palm Beach Community College, Boca Raton, Florida Dean of Educational Services, Glades Campus Palm Beach Community College, Belle Glade, Florida Dean of Student Services, Glades Campus Palm Beach Community College, Belle Glades Florida Executive Leadership Present Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Management Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida Multi-campus, 47,000 students, 21,000 FTE College s Chief Student Affairs Officer. Provides college-wide leadership, direction and policies for all Student Affairs related matters. Responsibilities include Financial Aid, Admissions, Career Counseling, Assessment, Student Activities, Federal TRIO Grants and Special Programs, College Outreach and Student Recruitment, Academic Advising, Judicial Affairs, Threat Assessment, and student communications. Reports directly to the College President.

5 Summary of Accomplishments: Realigned Student Services and improved processing efficiency Led re-engineering of the Financial Aid system, & improved enrollment producing an increase of over 30 million dollars in revenue Led re-engineering of Admissions Registrar, and Veteran Student Services to improve the student experience Spearheaded re-engineering transcript evaluation process and increased productivity Established partnerships with 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay and implemented national award winning Collegiate 100 mentoring program Planned and implemented College s Threat Assessment Team processes to assist at-risk students and students with concerning behaviors Enhanced partnership with Hillsborough County School District and established liaison officer to improve communication and high school student access to HCC Enhanced relationships and outreach to area churches. Project was awarded the National Council on Student Development Terry O Banion Shared Journey award. Implemented College Bound program which increased number of area high school students choosing HCC as their first choice college. Acquired approximately over $50,000 in sponsorships and scholarships Completed the prestigious League of Innovations Executive Leadership Institute Acting Vice President of Student Services Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth, Florida Multi-campus, 45,000 students, 20,000 FTE College s Chief Student Affairs Officer. Provided Leadership for policies and operations for the Division of Student Services. Reported directly to the college president. The division consists of the following departments and function for all four campuses of PBCC. Financial Aid, Admissions & Registration, Counseling and Academic Advising, Career Counseling, Testing, Intercollegiate Athletics, Student Activities, Student Leadership programming; Judicial Affairs, College Outreach, Student Recruitment, TRIO Grants and Federal grant programs; Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Center, Student Support Services, Educational Talent Search and GEAR UP. Accomplishments: Led the renewal of two Federal TRIO programs; Educational Talent Search and Educational Outreach Center generating over two million dollars in revenue Supervised Federal GEAR UP program partnership between Pahokee Middle/Senior HS and PBCC Secured improved relationships with Palm Beach County School District which improved the colleges access to high school seniors Dean of Student Services South Campus Palm Beach Community College, Boca Raton, Florida Provided leadership for the Departments of Student Services. Reported directly to Campus Provost. Student Services departments consist of Financial aid; Testing; New Student orientation; Academic Advisement; Career and personal counseling; high school dual 2

6 enrollment; Student Activities; student leadership training and judicial affairs; Accountable to campus provost and district vice-president of student services. Accomplishments: Led the renovation of Student Affairs area increasing computer access for students College responsibility for New Student Orientation and improved delivery consistency throughout the college Published and maintained college-wide student services operational manual Selected by FCS Student Development Commission as Exemplary practice finalist for Development of college-wide student Leadership institute Invited and served on multiple SACSCOC Reaffirmation Committees Appointed by College President as Acting Vice President of Student Services responsible for college-wide student services Appointed by College President as Interim Campus Provost for the South Campus- Campus CEO responsible for leadership of Academic, Student Affairs and community relations. Appointed by College President Established new position to address the changing demands of the 21th Century student Dean of Educational Services Glades Campus Palm Beach Community College, Belle Glade, Florida Campus Chief Academic officer responsible for leading campus academic affairs and student services. Reported directly to Vice President of Academic Affairs and provided leadership and management for the Library Learning Resource Center, Center for Personalized Instruction Learning Lab, computer lab, Financial Aid, Advising & Counseling, Registrar & Admissions, Testing, and Student Activities. Duties require the supervision, evaluation and hiring of full-time and part-time faculty, development of academic course offerings and programs. Planned and managed academic and student services operational budgets as well as campus capital outlay budget. Accomplishments: Developed and implemented weekend college program for Glades Community Increased distance learning course offerings Acquired Early Childhood Education and Human Services A.S. degree programs Increased college course offerings located on area high school campuses Increased dual enrollment program for Glades community Partnered with Community n Schools program in development of dual enrollment Student Life Skills course for underachieving disadvantaged students Led the PBCC accreditation reaffirmation Principles Committees for Student Development and Intercollegiate Athletics Self-Study Steering Committee Served on the President s Glades Initiative to enhance the educational and economic opportunities for citizens of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay Florida Acquired annual $20,000 grant from East Coast Migrant HeadStart to support students pursuing early childhood education degrees 3

7 Enhanced academic support services increasing students access to electronic learning resources, computers, and tutors Dean of Student Services Palm Beach Community College Glades Campus Served as the Campus Chief Student Affair Officer reporting directly to the Campus Provost. Coordinated the administration of all student services of the Glades Campus. In the absence of the Provost the Dean of Student Services is responsible is for the daily operations of the campus. Directly responsible for providing leadership for the Department of Student Services, as well as, student recruitment and retention. Served as Acting Vice President for Student Services July 1998 during period of transition from previous VP to newly appointed VP for Student Services. Accomplishments: Revised academic advising on campus and developed system for advising 100% of all new students Developed first electronic new student orientation which was a combination of in-person advising and career exploration Supervised continuing education and bursar services Appointed Acting Vice President Adjunct instructor for Critical Thinking course Invited and served on SACSCOC Reaffirmation Committees Student Development Specialist Downtown Center Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Florida Coordinated services offered to students at the Downtown Center in the areas of registration, academic advisement, college prep advisement, testing, financial aid and counseling. Assisted the Provost with the scheduling of courses, formulation of strategic plan, marketing & recruitment; providing supervision for the Center, and serving on committees as requested. Chair for the Downtown Center Student Advisory Committee. Accomplishments: Assisted the Campus Provost with course scheduling, strategic planning, marketing & recruitment Chaired Education Planning committee resulting in renovations of new building housing developmental learning labs and student affairs operations Adjunct instructor for Strategies for Student Success Course Selected to serve on SACS Reaffirmation Committee ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville Florida Division for Student Development 1991 Coordinator for Student Activities Professional Specialist /Student Development 4

8 1988 Financial Aid Advisor University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Pennsylvania Department of Housing Residence Director Resident Assistant EDUCATION AND TRAINING 2008 Ph.D. Major: Higher Education Leadership Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 1993 M.Ed. Major: Student Personnel in Higher Education University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 1987 B.S Major: Psychology University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 2011 Executive Leadership Institute League for Innovations in the Community College 2005 Florida Chancellor s Leadership Seminar 2005 Institute for Aspiring Senior Student Affairs Officers National Association Student Personnel Association PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE Leadership Roles 2014-Present Board of Directors National Alliance of Community and Technical Colleges 2014-Present Board of Directors Bethany Christian Services Florida 2013-Present Board of Directors - Seminole Heights Charter School & West University Charter School 2014-Present Board Member - Chancellors Leadership and Executive Academy Alumni Group Immediate Past President - National Council on Student Development President - Board of Directors National Council on Student Development Secretary - Board of Directors National Council on Student Development Secretary - Southern Region National Council Black American Affairs Chairman - Florida College System Council of Student Affairs Chair elect/treasurer - Florida College System Council of Student Affairs Secretary - Florida College System Council of Student Affairs Region IV Representative - Florida College System Council of Student Affairs Board of Directors -100 Black Men of Tampa Bay Cabinet Member - Leadership Tampa Alumni Outreach officer & Board of Directors - Role Models Foundation INC School Advisory Council Heritage Elementary School, Lake Worth, Florida 5

9 AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS 2015 Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Administrator Award 2014 Terry O Banion Shared Journey Award-National Council on Student Development 2011 League of Innovation Executive Leadership Institute Alumni class 2009 Leadership Tampa (Tampa, FL) 2005 Florida Chancellor s Leadership Seminars Alumni 2005 National Association of Student Personnel Association Institute for aspiring SSAOs 1997 Florida Association of Community Colleges Student Development Commission: Exemplary Practice Finalist Student Friendly Computerized Multimedia Student Orientation 1995 Leadership Glades (Belle Glade, FL) PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS Accreditation Experience Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges Reaffirmation Committee Memberships 2014 Texas State College at Harlingen (TX) 2013 Central Piedmont Community College (NC) 2012 Austin Community College (TX) 2012 Off Site Reaffirmation Committee (GA) 2011 Houston Community College (TX) 2010 Trident Technical College (SC) 2005 Thomas Nelson Community College (VA) 2001 Jefferson Community College (KY) 1999 North Carolina Community College System: Distance Learning Substantive Change Committee 1998 Horry-Georgetown Technical College (SC) 1997 Savannah Tech 1997 (GA) 1996 Durham Technical Community College (NC) 1994 Jackson State Community College (TN) Institutional Reaffirmation Leadership 1992 Santa Fe Community College SACS Reaffirmation Steering Committee 1998 Palm Beach Community College Reaffirmation Steering Committee 2015 Hillsborough Community College SACSCOC Reaffirmation Leadership Team PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS 2014 National Council on Student Development Say it Loud: College Bound and Proud-Supporting Title I High School Graduates 6

10 2014 National Council on Student Development: L.I.F.E Liberty and the Pursuit of Enrollment: The HCC LIFE Program 2012 American Association of Community Colleges Community College Mentoring Programs for Minority Males 2012 Blackboard Texas Higher Education Impact Conference: HCC Call Center Operations 2010 National Council of Student Development: Partnerships: New Strategies for Student Success 2008 Black, Brown & College Bound National Summit Mentoring Programs for African Americans and Latino Males 2009 Association of Community College Trustees Conference Trustee s Visions Sparks National Summit 2008 Black Brown & College Bound Summit- Collegiate League of Innovations Information Technology Conference Presentation: Computerized New Student Orientation Process 1997 Florida Association of Community Colleges Student Development Commission: Exemplary Practice Finalist Student Friendly Computerized Multimedia Student Orientation 1996 New Direction for Student Development: Student Friendly Computerized Multimedia Student Orientation! PUBLICATIONS Ray, K, Carley, S.M., Brown, D. (2009). Power of Mentoring African American Males in Community & Colleges p Cited in Black American Males in Higher Education: Diminishing Proportions Volume 6. Frierson, H.T. & Wyche J.H. (editors). Lee, T.A, Evans, V.J., Minus, D.L. & Ray, K. (2014). Case Study: Your Boss is Your Predecessor. Cited in Executive Transitions in Student Affairs: A guide to Getting Started as the Vice President: Chapter 12, Carry, A. (editor). Computerized Student Orientation, Innovation Abstracts, February 14, 1997 Vol. XVIV number 5 MEMBERSHIPS 2014-Present Florida Emergency Response Association 2010-Present Society for Emotional Intelligence FACC Council of Academic Affairs Present National Council of Student Development National Council of Instructional Administrators 2007-Present National Association Student Personnel Administrators 2008-Present National College Testing Association Boca Sunrise Rotary Kairos Prison Ministry Gold Coast Via de Cristo 7

11 References Dr. Ken Atwater, President Hillsborough Community College Edward Coursey, Professor Hillsborough Community College Thomas Huggins III Former Hillsborough Community College Trustee Dr. Dennis Gallon, President (Retired) Palm Beach State College Dr. James Henningsen, President College of Central Florida Dr. Sharon Sass, Vice President Academic Affairs (retired) Palm Beach State College Dr. Portia Taylor, Vice Presidet of Student Development (Retired) Santa Fe State College Dr. Gloria McCall, Vice President Kentucky Community & Technical College System 8

12 Reference Dr. Timothy Beard, President Pasco-Hernando State College 9

13 Vita became Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Management at Hillsborough Community College in February Hillsborough Community College serves more than 47,000 students annually. HCC has five campuses, and 22,000 FTE. HCC is located in Tampa, Florida and has an economic impact of over one billion dollars in Hillsborough County. Prior to joining HCC, Dr. Ray served in multiple progressive administrative positions at Palm Beach Community College, now known as Palm Beach State College. He held the positions of Dean of Student Services, Acting Vice President for Student Services and Interim Provost of the South Campus in Boca Raton. For six years, Dr. Ray worked in Student Development at Santa Fe Community College. He left Santa Fe Community College as the Student Development Specialist for the Downtown where he was responsible for directing and leading student affairs for the center. Dr. Ray has held leadership roles at the State, Regional, and national level. As a consistent member of the Florida Council of Student Affairs (CSA) he served as the CSA Executive Steering Committee as Secretary, Chair Elect/Treasure and Chair. Regionally, Dr. Ray served as the Board Secretary for the Southern Region of the National Council on Black American Affairs an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. On the National level, Dr. Ray served as the Board Secretary, President Elect and President of the National Council on Student Development, an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges He also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Community and Technical Colleges. Dr. Ray served for one year on the AACC Commission for Academic, Student and Community Affairs. Dr. Ray earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida in He earned his Master of Education degree in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL in In 1987 he earned a Bachelors in Science degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Ken is a graduate of the prestigious Executive Leadership Institute of the League for Innovation in Community Colleges. He is also a graduate of the Florida Chancellor s leadership Seminar and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Aspiring Senior Student Affairs Officer Institute. Dr. Ray has served for two years on the Leadership Tampa Alumni Cabinet. He currently serves on the executive team for the 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay and is on the Board of Directors for Seminole Heights, West University, and Town and Country Charter Schools. 10